Program Grants

Program Grants is sponsored by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT). CFMT's Program Grants cycle supports the work of Middle Tennessee nonprofits serving the community. Organizations that applied for a Community Impact Grant are still eligible to apply for these additional funding opportunities.

Program Grants FAQ – Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee Grantseekers Frequently Asked Questions We created a series of frequently asked questions on various topics in the hope that this will help you navigate the CFMT Program Grant program. Who is eligible for a grant?

expand_more We welcome grant proposals from nonprofit organizations and entities of government located in and serving within the following 40 counties of Middle Tennessee: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Pickett, Perry, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Wilson, and Williamson.

If you have questions about eligibility, review the Program Grant Guidelines and for more information. Does my organization have to be located within the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee? expand_more Yes, it does.

Nonprofit organizations headquartered outside Middle Tennessee, even though their services may benefit local residents and communities, must have a local presence, i.e. physical address/office, local staff and board, and local banking institution When is the deadline to submit a proposal and when are awards announced? expand_more In 2024, the Program Grant deadline is on or before August 31. CFMT awards grants in mid-November.

You will have one year (December 1, 2024 – November 30, 2025) to expend the awarded funds and to report your successes. Does my nonprofit organization need a 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS before I can apply for and receive grant funding expand_more Yes. Your organization must have a 501(c)(3) designation or be an entity of government in order to apply for and receive funding.

What is a 501(c)(3) designation and how can I get one? expand_more A 501(c)(3) designation refers to the specific section of the Internal Revenue Code that defines a nonprofit organization as a public charity. For more information on the Code and how to obtain a 501(c)(3) designation, contact the Internal Revenue Service Our organization is an entity of government (public educational institutions, departments of government, etc.).

Do we need a 501(c)(3) designation? expand_more No, entities of government will not have 501(c)(3). It is suggested that you contact CFMT for eligibility.

Private schools are not eligible to apply for discretionary grants. For additional eligibility questions, please review the grant guidelines. I’m not a nonprofit organization; I’m just a person who needs some extra help.

Can I apply for a grant? expand_more No. CFMT makes grants to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. We are unable to award grants to individuals, except in the case of scholarships, which are awarded directly to the educational institution on behalf of the student.

If you are a student, please see the Scholars Section of CFMT’s website. If your family is in need of help, contact 211 for assistance. What sort of programs does CFMT’s Program Grant support?

expand_more CFMT is particularly interested in ideas that shed new light on the needs and aspirations of Middle Tennesseans with an emphasis on providing long-term solutions. Grants may be requested to support either general operations or program support. Does CFMT fund faith-based organizations?

expand_more CFMT has the ability to fund faith-based organizations. Through the Program Grant opportunity, however, we generally will not fund any programs of a religious nature or programs requiring participation in religious activities or adherence to a particular set of beliefs as a condition for receiving services. Does CFMT make multi-year grants?

expand_more Currently, CFMT does not provide multi-year grants. If my organization has received grants in the past, are there limitations to how many years we can receive grants? expand_more While there is no limit to the number of grants an organization may receive, we strongly recommend that it not seek continuous funding for the same program year after year.

CFMT should not be viewed as a source of permanent funding. PLEASE NOTE: CFMT cannot guarantee funding to every applicant. Awards will vary in size based on the number of applications, available funds, and funds requested.

Could my proposal be awarded less money than requested? expand_more Yes. CFMT often receives far more requests than the available funding allows.

In some instances, a thoughtful review of a grant proposal may lead to the funding of a specific portion of a grant application or to conclude that the need can be met through partial funding. Do we need to have other funding sources? expand_more Will you review a draft of my proposal and offer comments?

expand_more If time permits, we would be happy to review your proposal. We cannot promise that we will be available to help you if it is too close to the deadline. Please note that any suggestions or recommendations made by staff DOES NOT guarantee or constitute funding.

To discuss your proposal, contact the Grants Team by email [email protected] or call at 615-321-4939 Who reviews grant proposals? expand_more Board and community reviewers in addition to CFMT staff review Program Grants. Additionally, CFMT staff conducts preliminary research and site visits, where necessary.

Reviewers contribute time, thought, and knowledge of our community to the process of reviewing applications. Recommendations are presented to CFMT’s Board of Directors for final approval. If I know members of CFMT’s Board of Directors, staff or a donor, does it increase the likelihood that my proposal will be funded if I contact them?

expand_more What happens after my organization’s proposal is funded? expand_more Nonprofits awarded grant funding will receive a grant agreement to sign and return before funding can be issued. They must accomplish what was described in the grant proposal.

Within that grant period, an organization may receive a site visit from a member of CFMT’s Community Impact team. What happens if my budget changes or there is a shift in the program from what was originally proposed?

expand_more If there are changes, large or small, to your proposal either during the consideration of your proposal or after a grant is awarded, you will need to contact CFMT’s Grant Coordinator who will discuss the changes with you and advise you on how to proceed.

DO NOT ASSUME that you are able to change the purpose of your grant without first consulting with the Grants Coordinator by email at [email protected] or by phone at 615-321-4939. Will I need to submit reports? expand_more Yes.

As an organization that has contributed funding to your program, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee requires an interim and final report from you . These reports are an accounting of the program and fiscal results that were outlined in your organization’s grant request. The reports are part of your responsibility to CFMT as defined by the grant agreement that was given at the time of the grant award.

Failure to submit your reports on time will affect consideration of future requests . We encourage you to share your insights into what worked and what did not. Through your candor and open feedback, we can learn more about the ingredients for program success.

This, in turn, helps both your organization and ours meet our common goal of service to the community. CFMT declined to fund our proposal. Why?

Will we be able to submit another application next year? expand_more The decision to decline a grant proposal is not necessarily a reflection on the value of the program. As a general rule, it only indicates that CFMT’s funds are limited.

We receive many more requests to support programs than our relatively limited resources will permit. Feel free to reapply the following year, and as always, CFMT staff is available to answer questions. Contact the Grants Coordinator by email at [email protected] or by phone at 615-321-4939.

Where can I learn more about the GivingMatters. com Profile requirements? expand_more For any questions about your GivingMatters.

com profile or guidance on getting started, please email [email protected] . The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.